Updated: March 2009
Zambia
Overview | World Vision's history in Zambia | World Vision in Zambia today
OverviewZambia is a landlocked country in south-central Africa. Its terrain consists of a high plateau with hills and mountains, small trees, grassy plains, and marshland. The climate is tropical, with some areas experiencing a six-month rainy season. It is bordered by Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. Formerly the British protectorate of Northern Rhodesia, Zambia achieved independence in 1964. Remaining a one-party state for almost 30 years, its first multi-party elections were held in 1993.The population consists primarily of people of Bantu origin. English is the official language of the country, but Bemba is most predominately used. More than 70 other languages are spoken, including Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, and Tonga. The country is composed of nine provinces, and the majority of the population lives in rural areas. Most people are involved in agriculture to provide family food. Crops include corn, rice, peanuts, vegetables, cotton, and coffee. Zambia’s natural resources include cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, gems, precious metals, and hydropower. Since the early 1960s, nearly all of Zambia’s economy has depended on copper exports. A decline in world copper prices has seriously undermined trade stability, however, and the lack of a diversified economy has made it difficult for the country to cope with its limited fiscal activity. The Zambian government has attempted to stimulate the economy, but the measures instituted have led to negative outcomes, including the loss of jobs and an escalation of poverty. Consequently, Zambia’s economic growth remains below seven percent—the figure needed to greatly reduce poverty. |  |
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| Currently, 86 percent of people throughout Zambia live below the poverty line and 50 percent are unemployed. A lack of proper health care has taken a severe toll on Zambia’s families as well. Malaria remains the biggest killer of children under age five and poses a major health problem for the rest of the population. In addition, the HIV and AIDS pandemic is widespread, with 1.1 million Zambian people living with the disease. According to UNICEF, some 710,000 boys and girls have been orphaned due to this devastating disease. This factor, coupled with economic challenges and food shortages, has left half of Zambian children suffering from malnutrition. Five provinces have experienced very heavy rainfalls in the past few years, resulting in the destruction of entire corn crops. In some areas, schools are half empty—children have not consumed enough food to produce the energy necessary to walk to school or concentrate on their lessons. During the threat of famine in 2002, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa refused to accept any international donations of food that had been genetically modified, labeling such donations as “poison.” In 2003, impeachment proceedings against the president were rejected by Parliament. Rupiah Banda was elected president in 2008. In late 2007, the World Bank approved a $3.8 billion debt relief package for Zambia. Back to top World Vision’s history in ZambiaIn 1981, World Vision began its work in Zambia by hosting a Christian Council conference in Livingstone. In addition to evangelistic and leadership efforts, sponsorship was initiated to provide assistance for 900 children. During that time, a four-year drought, the influx of Mozambican refugees, and severe economic problems prompted World Vision to establish a presence in Zambia. By the end of 1982, 12 sponsorship community development projects and three additional development projects were meeting the critical needs of Zambian families. By 1983, some 3,237 children were benefiting from sponsorship.From 1986 through 1990, Zambia’s economic problems continued. World Vision maintained its assistance through 53 community development projects and more than 7,000 sponsored children received clothing, food, and educational support. Families were offered interest-free loans, and vocational training was provided to address high unemployment among youth. Rural clinics were supported, clean water projects were initiated, and evangelistic projects were conducted with local churches. Development Assisting Centers sought to upgrade and accelerate rural development work through grass-roots training networks. In 1989, World Vision’s project for Zambia Flood Relief assisted 65,000 people affected by nearly a month of torrential rains and flooding. Victims received food, blankets, medicine, and insecticides to combat malaria. During the 1990s, the first pastors conference was held in Zambia with 300 in attendance. Child sponsorship grew to 32,400, and World Vision was active in 109 development projects. World Vision’s increasing concern for the special disadvantages of women created a new emphasis on ministry targeted specifically to their needs in the areas of health care, child rearing, and education. HIV and AIDS education became a crucial component to health efforts during the 1990s. Efforts addressing water and sanitation issues in the late 1990s and early 21st century included the Clean Water for Kanchindu and Makungwa Water for Life programs and the Malima Irrigation project. Boreholes provided a source of clean water for 25,000 people. Community members received training in water sanitation, maintenance of the pumps, and basic hygiene principles, as well as training in reducing the rates of illness and death from waterborne diseases. Efforts aimed at water sanitation for agricultural use also were implemented, enabling the irrigation of clean water to farms that increased food security for approximately 32,000 people. Back to top World Vision in Zambia todayWorld Vision is committed to partnering with the people of Zambia to enhance their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their communities, families, and children. Currently, 89,331 children are registered in the World Vision sponsorship program. Several times this number of children and other family members benefit from World Vision activities. Of these registered children, many have World Vision sponsors in other countries. U.S. donors sponsor more than 40,200 girls and boys. In addition, World Vision operates 26 development programs, nine of which are supported by U.S. donors. Highlights of these efforts include the following:
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